The Carolina Hurricanes extended their winning streak to three games on Thursday night, besting the Anaheim Ducks, 5-2, in the middle game of their three-game homestand. The Stankoven line combined for three of the team's five goals, and Frederik Andersen returned to the win column for the first time since November 6.
The good times are expected to keep rolling tonight, as far as the team's health is concerned. Jaccob Slavin appears set to play his first game since December 19, just his sixth game of the season. Joel Nystrom was sent to Chicago on Friday, seemingly signaling the Olympian's return. Slowly, the Hurricanes are getting back to full strength. Let's just hope they can keep it that way.
On the Other Side: Seattle Kraken
It was another trying year for the Seattle Kraken, falling outside of the postseason for the second straight season. It forced wholesale leadership changes, with Lane Lambert and Jason Botterill replacing Dan Bylsma and Ron Francis, respectively. After a slow start and no one in the division separating from the pack, things are starting to look good for the suddenly hot Kraken.
They forked over a ton of money for defenseman Ryan Lindgren, and they made a few trades to bring in Frederik Gaudreau and Mason Marchment. They've already moved on from Marchment this season, sending him to Columbus in December. The Kraken also gave former Ranger Kaapo Kakko a fairly large extension, keeping him in the Pacific Northwest for three more years.
The offense has struggled at times this season, but it has been catching fire recently. Over their ten-game point streak (8-0-2), Seattle has scored 38 goals, and their power play is clicking at nearly 35 percent. They've been stout defensively all season, sitting in the Top 10 in goals allowed, while Philipp Grubauer is in the Top 3 in GAA and save percentage.
Last season: The road team was victorious in both meetings last season. The Canes defeated the Kraken, 4-1, in late October during the penultimate stop of their State Fair trip behind big nights from Seth Jarvis and Frederik Andersen. The Kraken got it back in Raleigh, winning 4-2, despite the Canes fighting to tie the game twice.
Kraken to Watch
Shane Wright: I'm still holding out hope that Wright can turn into the player many thought he would become when he was drafted. There is still plenty of time for that to happen. Wright has seven goals and 15 points this season, putting him well behind his pace from a year ago. He has just four points since the start of December (18 games).
Berkly Catton: It took him 28 games, but the 20-year-old rookie finally found the back of the net for the first time in his NHL career on Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins. In fact, Catton scored twice, including a highlight-reel goal on the power play. Catton is making the most of his time on the ice, and he is finally getting rewarded.
Hurricanes to Watch
Jackson Blake: While his linemates have been getting hot, Blake finally joined the fun on Thursday, scoring his first goal since beating the Rangers in overtime before the new year. It was a very big moment in the contest for the group, putting the Ducks to bed for good. As he approaches his final numbers from a season ago, it would be nice to see Blake turn this goal into another big stretch.
Mark Jankowski: With rumors flying about the future of one center on the roster, Jankowski is finding his stride this season. He has two goals in his last five contests, including a big one on Thursday against the Ducks, and he is putting together big nights in the dot. With uncertainty running rampant this time of year, Jankowski is finding ways to make it hard to take him out of the lineup.